Syberg’s Chef Also Paints Fallen Soldiers

ST. LOUIS, MO. (KTVI) – In Monday’s Patrick People, Patrick Clark introduces us to a man who traded the spatula for a paint brush to help remember the fallen first responders across St. Louis.

Dennis Syberg is at home in a kitchen or on a canvas. Syberg is the executive chef at the restaurant that bears his family name. But he’s also an artist who paints portraits of men and women who’ve died in the line of duty.

He started in 1994 when Jerry Clinton asked him to do some paintings that would be shown at ringside for the annual guns and hoses event. It takes Syberg about 30 to 40 hours to complete a canvas.

This year he had four, Officers Doug Haase, Lamont Reed, Jerry Hicks and the first non-uniformed individual, Jerry Clinton.

For the families of the fallen heroes, the artwork is appreciated. Like a painting of Sergeant Michael King, a University City police officer killed in the line of duty.

“Well I definitely cherish the portrait. I can tell you I sometimes sit on my couch when I’m feeling lonely and I just kind of stare at it. I feel a lot of comfort from it. Everyone who enters the house is just in awe of how much it looks like my husband and makes it feel like he’s still here with us.” said Susan King.

St. Louis’ first responders are going head-to-head in a Thanksgiving tradition for Backstoppers. The police and firefighters will duke it out in the charity boxing event called, “Guns And Hoses.” the event is this Wednesday at 7pm at Scottrade Center.